A patient has gotten an unknown chemical in his eyes. What should be the first action?

In a scenario where a patient has an unknown chemical in their eyes, the priority is immediate decontamination to prevent further damage to the eye tissues. Flushing the eyes with copious amounts of water is the standard first action in such cases, as it helps to dilute and remove the chemical from the eye surface. This process should begin as soon as possible and ideally continues for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

While it may be necessary to involve specialized teams such as a hazmat team for containment of the spill, that is not the immediate concern for the patient’s well-being. Delaying treatment to wait for a specialized team can lead to serious and possibly irreversible damage to the eyes. Similarly, transporting the patient before flushing the eyes could exacerbate their condition. Covering the eyes with gauze would not only impede the flushing process but could also trap the chemical against the eye, increasing the risk of injury.

Thus, the immediate response should always prioritize rinsing the eyes with water to minimize injury and preserve vision.